Idris Elba Speaks On Tyler Perry

Idris lets us know how he really feels about some of the images that Tyler Perry and Martin Lawrence shows on film.“Can I be candid? I don’t like all of Tyler Perry’s films. Yes, I did work with Tyler for ‘Daddy’s Little Girls‘ because it portrayed a positive image of a black father. I am happy for Tyler’s success…we need Tyler Perry … by going to support his movies, we need to show economic strength. But we are also responsible for elevating film. I’m not with buffoonish characters like Madea or Big Momma.”

And while we are on the subject; why doe sit seem like the media is so hard on Tyler and his Madea movies, while remaining quiet on Martin Lawrence’s Big Momma character? Do you see anything wrong with the portrayal of these characters?

3 thoughts on “Idris Elba Speaks On Tyler Perry”

It’s hard for me to focus with Idris looking at me…I’ll try my best:P It’s hard being black in these streets, everything we do has implications. Does Adam Sandler have to think twice about how he represents his race? We give Perry a hard time but I appreciate his style for what it is, lighthearted and over the top at times. Don’t we, as black people, get a pass sometimes, where we can just let it all out without wondering who’s watching and what they’ll say? That’s a whole lot of pressure for us to bear, furthermore one man (perry, lawrence)….(resumes looking at Idris).

I can respect your perspective on this, but the bottom line is I don’t think black people in the industry have that luxury yet. Adam Sandler represents a race of people that puts a great deal of effort into controlling the images portrayed of their people in the media. The Jewish people have always maintained and promoted themselves in a positive manner. They have no problem jealously promoting their culture or their political agendas. It’s one of the things I respect most about their nation. Blacks in Hollywood are miles behind the Jews on this. The images portrayed of blacks are still largely dictated by non-blacks. It’s gone on so long that when other images and ideas are set before the Black audience…they struggle to accept it and are comfortable not supporting it. Do we want to see a Hollywood where only over the top silliness and tragic historical references can exist? I’d like to think that having more than 2 black people in a movie doesn’t automatically mean a 6 foot brother in a dress or another portrayal of slavery or inner city genocide.

I agree with Idris. It’s time we agreed on some form of respectability for black characters in Hollywood so our young black youths have something to look up to. People in Korea have a real bad perspective towards black people because of the films they see coming from the U.S. Idris Elba’s Luther is a spectacular because it adds a respectability to being black again. These Tyler movies have done nothing for us except to pull down our reputation and we don’t need that. There’s plenty of racists out there already.